Last week, after hashing out questions and resident concerns however, it did just that. The consensus was optimistic that both projects would be beneficial to the township if moved forward with extensive responsibility and diligence, particularly due to the fact that two autonomous boards are combining efforts.

The township’s board of commissioners, with a resolution of approval from the board of education, has purchased the Knights building for approximately $1 million and is now in the process of renovating it for another $1 million. The move is in anticipation of school children in kindergarten, first and second grade from Jefferson School moving in by the start of the next school year to make room at the nearby elementary school to bring 18 special education students back into the district. The board of commissioners and education also approved plans to construct a brand new indoor swimming facility on the high school grounds, which will cost the town $4.5 million through bonding.

The financial aspect has been one of the major aspects of the two projects that weighed heavily on residents’ minds. Last week, one board member concurred that only one was feasible while Nick Uliano, a resident watchdog and member of the taxpayers association pleaded with the planning board to decline a recommendation and thwart the projects to a later date. He said it would be more feasible to put the plans on hold while the township began to tackle its current outstanding debt.

"Our citizens of Lyndhurst are deeply concerned about the expenditures that are being contemplated," said Uliano. "I beg the board to hold off on these projects and concentrate on the real job at hand, which is the town debt. All I’m saying is the timing is not proper, not to say they can’t happen in the future, but it just isn’t the time to do these projects."

Planning board member James Drzymkowski cast a dissenting vote on the Knights of Columbus proposal, saying that the financial brunt of two major projects at the same time may not be the best thing for Lyndhurst taxpayers at the time.

"I too am concerned about having two big projects going on at once, so I have to vote no," said Drzymkowski.

Members of both the board of commissioners and board of education have disputed that the savings from bringing that many special education students back in district will ultimately cover most, if not all of the financial obligation to pay the projects off. The South Bergen Jointure Commission would first run the special education program at Jefferson School and the board of education will rent the four rooms for $225,000 and according to Superintendent Joseph Abate, the board would additionally save $180,000 on transportation costs from bussing the students out of district. Abate said he also expects to receive a $125,000 rebate from the New Jersey Meadowlands Tax Sharing Pool for 11 students that have come out of the new Avalon Bay development on Wall Street West. DiLascio said the cost to maintain the pool would be approximately $250,000 a year, but believes recreation fees, rentals and other program costs will offset much of it while grants from community development block and neighborhood preservation are also being sought to offset the price of the pool.

Board member Keith Carroll also raised the question, which had been echoed numerous times by residents in the past, about the traffic situation near the Knights building. Currently, the commuters use the adjacent lot and allotted parking spots directly in front of the Knights building to access the nearby Lyndhurst Train Station. Much of the traffic peaks when children are arriving to school during the morning rush hour.

"What I have done already is had conversations with the Chief [James O’Connor] and we’re looking at a couple things; possibly some speed bumps and the second thing would be moving some cars that are parked pretty much right outside the doorway by the wall out there," said DiLascio. "Possibly even changing the street to a one-way and moving the curb out further into the roadway to get a little more space. We understand the concern."

According to representatives from DMR Architects of Hasbrouck Heights, the pool will be a six-lane, 25-meter enclosed racing pool with seating for 180 spectators. It will also accommodate locker rooms and bathroom facilities as well as annex to a new entrance to the high school with a courtyard in between.

The Knights building, an 8,000 square foot facility, will be converted into three large classrooms, a smaller ancillary classroom, offices and gym areas. In addition, the building will be retrofitted with an elevator and given handicap accessible ramps.

•  Support bringing more special education students back in district to a mainstream setting.
•  Comforted by knowing the township will own another viable piece of real estate.
•  Welcome the idea of a new swimming pool for community use.

Those against them…

• Fear the town debt is too high to add millions in new bonding.
• Don’t think it is fair that students from Jefferson School will have to move to the Annex.
• Worry taxpayers will be holding the bag on annual pool maintenance costs.